Download Tonsils and Adenoids PostOp

Tonsils and Adenoids PostOp
The tonsils are two pads of tissue located on both sides of the back of the throat. Adenoids sit
high on each side of the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth. Tonsils and adenoids
are often removed when they become enlarged and block the upper airway, leading to breathing
difficulty. They are also removed when recurrence of tonsil infections or strep throat cannot be
successfully treated by antibiotics.
The procedure to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy; excision of the adenoids is an
adenoidectomy. Both are usually performed concurrently; hence the procedure is known as a
tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy or T&A.
T&A is an outpatient surgical procedure lasting between 30 and 45 minutes and performed under
general anesthesia. Normally, the young patient will remain at the hospital or clinic for about
four hours after surgery for observation. An overnight stay may be required if there are
complications such as excessive bleeding or poor intake of fluids.
When the tonsillectomy patient comes home
Most children require seven to ten days to recover from the surgery. Some may recover more
quickly; others can take up to two weeks for a full recovery. The following guidelines are
recommended:
Drinking: The most important requirement for recovery is for the patient to drink plenty of
fluids. Milk products should be avoided in the first 24 hours after surgery. Offer juice, soft
drinks, popsicles, and Jell-O (pudding, yogurt, and ice-cream after 24 hours). Some patients
experience nausea and vomiting after the surgery caused by the general anesthetic. This usually
occurs within the first 24 hours and resolves on its own. Contact your physician if there are signs
of dehydration (urination less than 2-3 times a day or crying without tears).
Eating: Generally, there are no food restrictions (other than milk products) after surgery. The
sooner the child eats and chews, the quicker the recovery. Tonsillectomy patients may be
reluctant to eat because of sore throat pain; consequently, some weight loss may occur, which is
gained back after a normal diet is resumed.
Fever: A low-grade fever may be observed several days after surgery. Contact your physician if
the fever is greater than 102º.
Activity: Bed rest is recommended for several days after surgery. Activity may be increased
slowly, with a return to school after normal eating and drinking resumes, pain medication ceases,
and the child sleeps through the night. Travel away from home is not recommended for two
weeks following surgery.
Breathing: The parent may notice abnormal snoring and mouth breathing due to swelling in the
throat. Breathing should return to normal when swelling subsides, 10-14 days after surgery.
Scabs: A scab will form where the tonsils and adenoids were removed. These scabs are thick,
white, and cause bad breath. This is not unexpected. Most scabs fall off in small pieces five to
ten days after surgery and are swallowed.
Bleeding: With the exception of small specks of blood from the nose or in the saliva, bright red
blood should not be seen. If such bleeding occurs, contact your physician immediately or take
your child to the emergency room. Bleeding is an indication that the scabs have fallen off too
early, and medical attention is required.
Pain: Nearly all children undergoing a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy will have mild to severe
pain in the throat after surgery. Some may complain of an earache (because stimulation of the
same nerve that goes to throat also travels to the ear), and a few may incur pain in the jaw and
neck (due to positioning of the patient in the operating room).
Pain control: Your physician will prescribe appropriate pain medications for the young patient
such as codeine, hydrocodone, Tylenol with codeine liquid, or Lortab (hydrocodone with
Tylenol). Generally, an acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol) teaspoon solution is
recommended for regular administration to the patient for three or four days after surgery.
If you are troubled about any phase of your child’s recovery, contact your physician
immediately.